Question on rear suspension swap

[Jean]

I have a 318i that I have been restoring/upgrading over the last couple months and soon will be converting it's rear drums to discs. My plan is to get rear trailing arms, sway, calipers from a 325 model and renew it with all new bushings, discs etc. I thought I would ask if a z3 or m rear suspension will fit or if it's completely different size and won't fit ?

tia

[erik325i]

Yes, the z3 and mcoupe rear suspension will fit into an e30. Many people want to do this swap for the larger brakes and 5-lug bolt pattern.
-Erik

[Erick]

The Z3, e30 M3, and MZ3 rear suspension bolt right on. I think the hardest thing would be running the brake lines from the engine bay to the back. That aside, it's basically a bolt on.

[Jean]

Nice! Do the Z3 (Z3M) trailing arms bolt right into the rear axle carrier itself or will I need a Z3 carrier (and possibly z3 axle drive) ?

[nefarious7907]

the Z3 rear subframe does not fit the E30 chassis. The arms bolt right to the E30 subframe and you can reuse your E30 axles

[matt]

The Z3, e30 M3, and MZ3 rear suspension bolt right on. I think the hardest thing would be running the brake lines from the engine bay to the back. That aside, it's basically a bolt on.

Why would you need to run brake lines? 318s don't have rear brakes?

[Teaguer]

Why would you need to run brake lines? 318s don't have rear brakes?

I would just run a string or cable , or better yet somethingload tested like a fishing line , back to the rear parking shoes inside of the rotors .

That would provide plenty of stopping power for an 318i .

[Jean]

I guess i'll find out this weekend or next when I remove stock trailing arms and install one from a 325...